Florida For All’s Political Director Amina Spahić testified in opposition to HB 221 “Minimum Wage Requirements” aka Minimum Wage Loophole by Rep. Chamberlin during the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee on January, 28, 2026.

The bill passed favorably and has two committee stops left before it would hit the House Floor for a final vote.

Transcript

It’s Amina Spahić . I know it’s a tough one.

I’m with Florida For All.

I’m the political director and part of our coalition includes SEIU- representing over 20,000 workers across the state. With all due respect to the bill sponsor, this bill is not designed to give anything other than free labor to corporations.

We already have unpaid internships, and courts have repeatedly found them ripe for abuse.

Even with the amendment, it would have a whole adult working for free for nearly a year in this economy.

The bill would basically reclassify workers to learners. So if the intent is to educate and train, why not require at least *federal minimum wage while they’re training?

What prevents an employer from replacing an entry-level paid position with a rotating series of unpaid “learning opportunities”?

And if, as far as constitutional rights go, should other constitutional labor protections also be waivable if a worker signs a form?

If not, why is minimum wage any different?

I urge you all to vote no on this bill.

Thank you.